WD-40 reply

[Richard Moody]

James Grebe wrote...

	"I really think the success of using any material lies in the careful and
precise application. 
	 Perhaps Ric O'Drip's :>)Drip O Lator would work well also.  
	Sorry Rick, I couldn't resist."


Regarding the use of WD 40 in piano actions, I don't use it, BECAUSE those
I learned under said not to use it. Well good enough for me. Besides the
methods I was taught work. So WD 40 so far has not been needed as an
option for me.  However I do not remember the reasons given not to use WD.
 It may well be that my teachers were wrong, that WD 40 works and no long
term effects to be worried about. But given the sagacity and experience of
my teachers, I doubt it.  

While I cannot say the Dripolator works for WD, I do know it works for
Protek CLP. Now one might question what is the difference between Protek
and WD?
  May I suggest that the paper test be applied.  A drop of WD on paper
leaves a "smudge" while a drop of Protek does not.  What is so great about
a smudge?   Well paper and wood are similar in origin and this
discoloration that comes from WD makes me hesitant to use it on the wooden
parts of piano actions. I am not sure what this smudge means in how it
affects the structure of wood. So I would rather not experiment with WD on
piano actions I service, let alone mine.  Have you ever seen a wooden work
bench that has had motor oil spilled on it? The wood seems altered at
least in appearance for a very long time.  This same oil leaves the same
smudge on paper as does WD 40.  If that is bad I cannot say, if it is
good, I think someone before me would have discovered this and proven this
a long time ago.  But that has not happened. 
	So the grand jury is in on WD 40.  In that regard I applaud your
observations and experiences of how WD has worked for you. While I am not
a chemist, I do know there are concerns about petrolium oils that slowly
become "gunky" when exposed to oxygen. Olification I think is close to the
word they use. I have seen this in sewing machines and player piano spool
drives. In this situation, I use WD as a solvent especially the aresol
propelled as it seems to flush out grime really well.  Whether WD
"olifies" or not I cannot officially say, but I strongly suspect it does. 
So if used on action centers, it could gum up in a few years....... but I
leave that to some other to prove or disapprove.  Water and alcohol have
worked wonders for me and my piano action centers 

Ric Gumball